Day 12 Tuscany Travels

Black Night  OR A Notte Blanca

Notte Bianca | April 30-May 1
Once in a while, Florence’s biggest museums throw open their doors, stay up late, and say, “Take me, I’m yours!” As in, come in for free. Perhaps the best known occurrence of this is Notte Bianca, Florence's all-nighter filled with music, art and happiness.

Let's hope I don't get into too much trouble.

ALL NIGHT LONG

IT'S NIGHT ALL RIGHT

OH THAT MOON

MUSICA AT THE PIAZZA

EVEN AT NIGHT IT'S SO AMAZING

GOTTA PUT THE DUOMO IN THIS BLOG A LOT

CONCERT AT THE MUSEUM

Day 11 Tuscany Travels

Church of Sant'Ambrogio

Around my neighborhood.    Sant  Ambrogio

» Churches in Florence

Sant'Ambrogio was one of the first religious buildings to go up in Florence. Rebuilt in the 13th century and again more recently, the present facade is 19th century.

The interior, 18th-century on an originally Gothic ground plan, is single-aisled with three chapels at the back and eight Renaissance side altars. There were originally a group of 14th- and 15th-century frescoes near the altars but they were seriously damaged in the flood of 1966 and were therefore detaches. Near the Presbytery is the Cappella del Miracolo with a 15th-century Tabernacle of the Holy Sacrament which contains the blood which miraculously appeared in the chalice of a priest, Uguccione, as he was celebrating Mass. The tabernacle which contains the reliquary is by Mino da Fiesole (1481-83); the angels nearby in terracotta are by the Della Robbia while the frescoes on the walls are 15th-century paintings by Cosimo Roselli.

 Neighborhood crawl: Sant Ambrogio

 I crave an unadulterated Italian experience…and I find that in the Sant’ Ambrogio neighborhood.

I am mesmerized by my eccentric Italian neighbors. A rather large, loud and thoroughly delightful family meets for dinner on their terrace during the weekends.. The dog occasionally barks and I smell some very fabulous food from below. And if I look up, I am reminded that maybe I too should do some laundry and hang it out to dry. Probably not.

I live in the middle with an apartment above and below me. I love going to the outdoor market most mornings and buying fresh fruit and often my dinner - home made Italian cooking.

 This is Florence, and it was everything I had hoped it would have. An easy ten minute walk from the Duomo, Sant’ Ambrogio sits just far enough from center to filter out most tourists, yet remains close enough to be a vibrant part of the city fabric and easily accessible.

My morning jaunt for a cafe latte in one of the three bars just down the street is perfect.  And they open at 8 am or at least I think so which means I sleep in a bit.  Lively conversations and wonderful shops to stop and look in the windows as I pass by.  It's a little bit of the Italian life that I find so vibrant.

Bike riding, quick walking and fast talking Italians.  Dressed is so many inventive styles.

My patio is just a small slice of heaven and I am grateful.

Today I walked to Forte Di Belvedere and there was an exhibition by Anthony Gormley.  More on that later and then the views.  I hope I dream about those views.  Pictures to follow.

Ciao

Day 10 Tuscany Travels

STILL CELEBRATING WITH MUSICA TODAY!

Street signs in Florence.  Gotta love this.  Look at the street sign below.  It's what Florence is all about.  Freedom of expression.   Here is another sign about Florence. It is a great story about the artist.  Well, here it is.  From a web site I researched.  I just saw this yesterday so he is still doing this!!! The architect that I am renting from know this guy.

I finally discovered the author of these marvelous artistic street signs that I have been seeing around Florence: they are by Clet Abraham. A black silhouette sneakily carrying away the no-entry bar is what first caught my eye; later I also saw the crucified Christ on the dead-end sign. Clever, I thought, and made a mental note to photograph them and post them on this blog.

For the record, “Clet” in art is 43 year old Clet Abraham, a French artist who has been living in Italy for over 20 years. This “guerrilla” act of art is just one manifestation of his often surreal and colourful approach to the world.

The silhouette man street signs have been popping up around the city for a few months now. They are easily removable adhesives that Clet and a few friends apply at night, sometimes in plain view of security cameras.
Clet took home a 400 euro ticket for his work the other night; the police say he doesn’t have permission to add to the street signs, an act that is against the “codice della strada” (laws of the road). Others see these works as a contribution to the urban decay rampant in Florence; others still feel offended by the religious content of the Pietà signs. Personally, I see work that is not un-necessarily provocatory but rather a light invitation to reflect upon the visual around us.
The artist explains:

My street sign work stem from a reflection upon our “common visual space”. The omnipresence of street signs, other than being a sign of the [Italian] culture of “anti-responsibility”, can verge on the absurd. The message is very poor (sometimes I feel like I’m being treated like an idiot by them) and yet they have a highly invasive aesthetic. As a professional in the world of visual space, I feel called to intervene, both to notify the public of the absurdity of the situation, and to propose a constructive and respectful alternative. My adhesives are developed to add a further level of reading [to street signs] constructed on the base of their original signification in order to maintain its utility but give it some intellectual, spiritual, or simply amusing interest. The final objective? That traffic keeps flowing without us feeling spoken down to!”

We are, in this city, constantly accosted by other “additive” symbols, from guerrilla stickering to tagging and graffiti. So I asked Clet: “What is the difference between your work and graffiti?”

I’m not sure exactly what the fundamental difference is between a graffiti artist and my work. I can say for sure that my stickers are easily removable. It’s essential to me to create works that are in thematically in keeping with the support upon which I am working, to adapt myself thus to any situation with complete respect for the work of others; I try to offer a service with my talent and knowledge. It’s possible that some graffiti artists have a similar work ethic. We do have in common a taste for the mysteries of the night and of surprise; a healthy attitude [or preference] for liberty of expression and breaking of rules – but these are the bases of being an artist!

What do you think? How do you react to these signs? Are they a benefit to the city?  This article was in

Florence street sign art by Clet

• by Tuscany Arts
• October 27, 2010 

Love this one!

http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/allthingstuscany/tuscanyarts/street-signs-clet/


And then here are my everyday walking photos that I took on Monday.  Another great day getting to know my next neighborhood where I will be staying starting Sunday.

 

They all walk quite fast until they stop to look in a window:-)

Going to eat at the restaurant on the first floor

Wonderful street view

Clet's sign

My new friend Micky at the cafe shop.

Day 9 Tuscany Travels

DAY 9 - Tuscany Travels
So far I have stayed in Florence.  Don't have a desire to leave yet.  My girlfriend will be joining me soon and we will go to Lucca, Assisi and on a wine tour so I'm OK to stay and get to know Florence more. 
What is the rush?

Just a simple breakfast on my terrace in Florence. Gluten free oatmeal (from US), fresh blueberries/flowers from the market.
Anything but boring. View of balcony gardens, hanging laundry, tile roofs--simple and for me bello-Grazie.

TODAY is LIBERATION DAY-  1945-2015 - A holiday so I will be out and about.  There is a concerto at Piazza della Signoria, about a 20 minute walk from my apartment. I love music.  It is wonderful in any language.

Keeping watch at the concert

Getting ready

And the orchestra begins

Piazza della Signoria

Day 8 Tuscany Travels: NO NOTES TO SELF

It's an Italian holiday this weekend.

When is Liberation Day?

Celebrated on 25 April, Liberation Day (Anniversario della Liberazione or Festa della Liberazione) commemorates the liberation of Italy by Allied troops at the end of the Second World War.

History of Liberation Day

The holiday is intended to honour all those who died during the war, from soldiers fighting overseas to civilian victims.

The lives of those who served as partisans in the Italian Resistance who fought Mussolini's troops as well as the Nazis are especially honoured.

How is Liberation Day Celebrated?

The day is marked with gatherings in towns across Italy. The celebrations may range from marching bands to political rallies to music concerts.

A popular tradition is the singing of the folk song 'Bella Ciao', a tale of a partisan who died for Italian freedom, whose only wish was to be buried in the mountains under the shadow of a beautiful flower.

On the day, whilst some tourist places remain open, municipal attractions such as museums, and monuments will be shut and public transportation may run a reduced service.

THAT'S IT FOR THIS BLOG,  CIAO

Day 7 Tuscany Travels

NOTE TO SELF: STOP MAKING NOTES:-) YOU ARE ON VACATION

Still undecided on what to do today.  Going to the market first thing this morning for some fruits and vegetable.  In spite of the "bad" food I am eating, I am getting lots of good food as well.

Maybe today, I will just take photos of the market. This photo was very much fun to take. 

 I was even given broccoli for free for some reason. The lady went to weigh it and I had my money out but she just gave it to me.  I will go back there domani for sure. There is an inside market for meats and cheese, etc and an outdoor market for clothes and fruits & vegetable, etc.

Time is moving so fast.   
Seize the day, then let it go.”
― Marty Rubin

In a way today I did very little today but walk around and look at what was in front of me and behind me and next to me.  I'll take it and savor it.

To find life's purpose, we must go through the door of ourselves.  I am peeking through that door during my journey.  Ciao.

Day 6 Tuscany Travels

Note to Self: Keep walking

It's noon and I just returned home from my San Minato church trip where I also took time to visit David Piazza Michelangelo,a cemetery-that opened in 1854 and contains tombs the size of miniature houses built so large to show off family wealth, and beautiful gardens follow the path leading down to the city.  It is one of the most unspoiled  of all the Romanesque churches in Tuscany. Along the way, I passed the home of Galileo.

But of course, I stopped at the store first for a banana, croissant, water, apple, and then purchased my favorite sandwich with mozzarella, tomato and basil.   All devoured before noon.

San Miniato al Monte

AH, JUST A SIMPLE DINNER in my apartment-BUT YUM   

One of my favorite photos so far.  I love crossing the bridges and looking beyond. Taken on my way back in the heart of Florence.

It's late and I have no idea what I am doing tomorrow but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.  Ciao!

Day 5 Tuscany Travels

DAY 5

NOTE TO SELF: Step away from the gelato!

Weather is glorious.  Tomorrow I will go to San Minato al Monte.  A 2 hour walk from the center of Florence to the exquisitely decorated church. I think I already mentioned that but hope to take a lot of photos.

AND I AM READY!

It's a bit strange going without much conversation when there are so many people around.  AND a bit strange not hearing any English on the TV but that is part of this experience.  SO I read more and walk more and listen.

OH no.  Don't force me to eat another gelato.  Really?

No, this is the same one

AND now for the thoughtful part of my BLOG.  I have covered people, (that was me) Places-that was the salon:-) and now "other" stuff.

The thoughtful part is - no thoughts for today.  I am sure I will have something to say after my walk.  I am going to think about the following:

1. Putting aside trivial preferences.
2. The tendency to worry.
3. The illusion of personal gain.

Given enough time, life bestows its gifts, a drop at a time, a day at a time, a moment of truth; but we must stay open to the mysterious flow that is larger than one event.

Ciao.

DAY 4 OF BLOGGING IN TUSCANY 

NOTE TO SELF: Go to sleep earlier

Trying to get a system for my blogs.  Maybe people, places and things?
I'll try but my guess is that it will be mostly random.

Today is the day that I attempt to fit in:-)  Said with tongue in cheek.   

My hair will be cut and I do mean cut.   AND  i will get out of my comfy clothes and walk 20 minutes to try to find the salon that i am going to for this event.  Yes, I said event.
 
i found it once while i was walking last week and made an appointment for today and just walked in.  I should have photos.  Oh no, no pictures to explain my desires to look fabulous. Gave myself the weekend to think about it but the time has come.  It's only hair. YEP, but it's my hair! Trivia?

In order to keep somewhat healthy eating habits, I am eating gluten free oatmeal that I brought from home.  Of course with fresh blueberries from the S Ambrogio market.

Last night before I went to sleep.  Midnight for the past 4 nights and if you know me, you know how insane that is.  Early to bed and early to rise MEL!

Anyway, I was reading about integration at midnight.  A central goal of inner courage is to bear our humanness and integrate our experience so we might strengthen the bond between living things.  What is not integrated is repeated.  Hmmm.  That's enough of that.

LOVING WHAT YOU FEAR.  
Go outside and let the sum spill into your heart. There. Can you feel it? It's the quiver of your soul. It makes you vulnerable but it will never betray you.  MN

OK Before and After.  Unbelievable that I actually let this state of being happen. Obviously, something was not right.  Oh, it was mostly pulled back so it looked OK but...

As I mentioned on facebook. It's 5 pm somewhere. Oh yeah, in Florence. Think I'll take my new hairdo out for a gelato at a gelateria! Thanks Antonio!

Note to self:  Must cut down on caffeine but not the wine!

It's a sunny day and I will journey out to find a place for my last 4 nights in Florence to say goodbye to a city that has my heart.

I am taking it slow.  Even eating grapes slowly but that is because I got the big ones with lots of seeds:-)

Today is hair, I mean here. Tomorrow's gone.  But really, I am finally taking time to get my hair cut.  It's been almost 9 months since I had 32 stitches in the top of my head to remove some cancer and literally, I've been afraid to do anything with my hair.  But now it the time.  See photo.

Today's hair. Really, I look like hippie. Well, I was once.

I am still just so excited like a little kid, skipping along in my heart.  Oh what a happy heart. So grateful.  What is this feeling I am experiencing.  I think it is pure JOY!

So that was not a very deep blog.  I'll try hard tomorrow:-) 

OK so one random thought and a few random photos.

I can't get my mind to slow down. It's clouded and clogged a bit with thoughts seeping in from everywhere. They must have been buried or just ignored.  Are you doing any of this or is it just me? If so, open up.

Tomorrow or the next day, I think I will climb up to San Miniato al Monte. It is about a two-hour walk from the center of Florence. On a hill in the south of the city.  The route follows quiet lanes along the city walls.  OK then. That's settled!

Enjoy these photos for what they are.  You interpret them.  
I can them PURPLE HAZE.

 THE ARNO RIVER BELOW.

 I love the sky in the background. Look at the different shades of blue.